| Country |
Path to Democracy |
| (a) Chile |
(i) Freedom from British colonial rule |
| (b) Nepal |
(ii) End of military dictatorship |
| (c) Poland |
(iii) End of one party rule |
| (d) Ghana |
(iv) King agreed to give up his powers |
Solution:
| Country |
Path to Democracy |
| (a) Chile |
(ii) End of military dictatorship |
| (b) Nepal |
(iv) King agreed to give up his powers |
| (c) Poland |
(iii) End of one party rule |
| (d) Ghana |
(i) Freedom from British colonial rule |
5. What are the difficulties people face in a non-democratic country? Give answers drawing from the examples given in this chapter.
Solution:
The following are the difficulties people face in a non-democratic country :
- No freedom for people to elect their leaders.
- No freedom of speech and expression.
- Censorship of press.
- Single-party rule.
- No say in government policies.
- No freedom to form unions.
- People suffer violence and oppression without any legal redress.
6. Which freedoms are usually taken away when a democracy is overthrown by the military?
Solution:
When democracy is overthrown by the military, the people of the country are deprived of many freedoms :
- First of all, they lose the freedom of speech and expression and cannot say anything against the military government.
- Secondly, they are not allowed to form political parties and workers’ unions.
- Thirdly, the people are deprived of their right to choose their own leader or change them.
7. Which of the following positions can contribute to democracy at the global level? Give reasons for your answer in each case.
(a) My country gives more money to international institutions. Therefore, I want to be treated with more respect and exercise more power.
(b) My country may be small or poor. But my voice must be heard with equal respect, because these decisions will affect my country.
(c) Wealthy nations will have a greater say in international affairs.They cannot let their interests suffer just because they are out numbered by poor nations.
(d) Big countries like India must have a greater say in international organisations.
Solution:
(a) If any country gives more money to international institutions and its citizens want more respect and more power, it would not contribute to democracy at the global level. Every country and its citizens enjoy equal status whether it is a poor or a rich country. Equality is the basic principle of democracy.
(b) This position totally contributes to democracy at the global level as Democracy give equal right to every person. The wealth and size of a country don't matter in a global democracy.
(c) This position does not lead to democracy at the global level because there should be no distinction made between the rich nations and the poor nations. All nations are equal in a Democracy.
(d) No, this position can't contribute to democracy because the sizes or the geographical area of a country can't determine the status of a nation in global democracy.
8. Here are three opinions heard in a television debate on the struggle for democracy in Nepal. Which of these do you agree with and why?
Guest 1: India is a democracy. Therefore, the Indian government must support the people of Nepal who are struggling against monarchy and for democracy.
Guest 2: That is a dangerous argument. We would be in the same position as the US was in Iraq. Remember, no outside force can promote democracy.
Guest 3: But why should we bother about the internal affairs of another country? We should be worried about our business interests there, not about democracy.
Solution:
We can't totally neglect our neighbours as what doing in their country as it must affect our behaviour also. So in my opinion, Guest 1 is right in some way. We have to adopt some measures that will support the people who are struggling against monarchy and for democracy. Not by using armed forces but by some other cooperations which will not hurt the sentiments of the people. This will also help India in maintaining a good relationship with a democratic country rather than a monarchical rule.
9. In an imaginary country called Happyland, the people overthrew the foreign ruler and brought back the old royal family. They said: “After all their ancestors were our kings before foreigners started ruling us. It is good that we have one strong ruler, who can help us become rich and powerful”. When someone talked about democracy the wise men said it is a foreign idea. Their struggle was to throw the foreigners and their ideas out of the country. When someone demanded freedom for the media, the elders thought that too much criticism of the ruler would not help them improve their living standards. “After all, the king is so kind and interested in the welfare of all the subjects. Why create problems for him. Don’t we all want to be happy? ”
After reading the above passage, Chaman, Champa and Chandru made the following observations:
Chaman: Happyland is a democratic country because people were able to throw out the foreign rulers and bring back the king.
Champa: Happyland is not a democratic country because people cannot criticise the ruler. The king may be nice and may provide economic prosperity, but a king cannot give a democratic rule.
Chandru: What people need is happiness. So they are willing to allow their new ruler to take decisions for them. If people are happy it must be a democracy.
What is your opinion about each of these statements? What do you think about the form of government in this country?
Solution:
Chaman’s statement is incorrect because the overthrowing of a foreign power just amounts to gaining sovereignty.
Champa’s statement is correct. A democracy is a rule of the people. The people should have the right to question their ruler.
Chandru’s statement is incorrect. Happiness of the people is only one factor of a democracy. The people might be happy with the king, but he is not an elected representative.
